Motorcycle Accident Attorney

In 2007, the US Secretary of Transportation called rising motorcycle fatalities the nation’s “greatest highway safety challenge.” The previous year, for the first time ever, more motorcyclists than pedestrians died in traffic accidents. Continuing a steady, decade-long growth, nationwide motorcycle fatalities had jumped 5% in a year, to reach an all-time high of 4,810 (another 88,000 motorcyclists were injured that year in road accidents).

As car and fuel prices and traffic congestion had risen, motorcycle use had also climbed, of course, but not nearly as sharply as motorcycle fatalities had. While motorcycle registrations were up by 63% in that decade, motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents had more than doubled during the same period, to the point that motorcyclists made up 11% of all traffic fatalities, compared with just 5% a decade earlier – despite the spread of helmet laws and training programs for motorcycle operators.

In New York State alone in 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, motorcycle accidents killed 162 motorcyclists, six motorcycle passengers and three pedestrians. Besides increasing road congestion, the mounting toll of deaths and serious injuries in motorcycle accidents may be due to distracted drivers of larger vehicles who fail to pay full attention to the road, and unsafe or impaired drivers.

A 2009 insurance group study says over half of deaths in motorcycle accidents came in multi-vehicle accidents, and also found that 42% of motorcycle fatalities occurred when a vehicle turned left as a motorcycle was going past it. A motorcyclist who gets T-boned by an inattentive driver has few defenses. Other commonly-cited causes for motorcycle accidents are poorly designed or maintained roadways, manufacturing defects or improperly done repairs or maintenance.

A motorcyclist injured in an accident will likely face substantial medical and rehabilitation expenses, and may also experience other significant losses, such as missed work, reduced earnings potential and other damages. If you or a member of your family was injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should consult with an experienced New York City area motorcycle accident attorney.

Free Consultation: Experienced New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Having the services of an expert can help deal with insurance and medical providers, ensure that the accident is thoroughly and professionally investigated, and also protect your rights. You have nothing to lose – you will only owe the law firm if we take you as a client and obtain a judgment or settlement. For a free consultation, call the Law Office of Shane D. Scott, PC toll-free at (800) 230-0744.